Fig. 5: A gdf6Y-containing Y-chromosomal fragment leads to a female-to-male sex reversal.

a Schematic of the Y-chromosomal sequence inserted via HindIII into the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) GRZ-B-a-208Dg03⁸. b Phenotypes and streak gonads in situ of partially sex-reversed mosaic XX animals (phenomales) created by zygotic BAC injection compared to an XX female and an XY male at 4.2 months of age. Body length (c) and body weight (d) of phenomales (XX + BAC) compared to females and males at 4.2 months of age (n = 6 each). Statistical testing by Welch’s ANOVA and Dunnett’s T3 multiple comparisons test. e Numbers of all eggs (dead or alive) collected after 1 week of constant breeding of a single female (2.5 months) with another female (XX, 2.5-5 months, n = 8), a pale (4 months, n = 2) or a colored phenomale (XX + BAC, 4 months, n = 4), or a male (XY, 4.2 months, n = 6). Statistical testing by a Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn’s multiple comparisons test with XX. c–e Mean with standard deviation. P-values < 0.05 are displayed. Source data are provided as a Source Data file. f HE stained gonadal sections of two BAC-positive individuals with the observation frequency in all phenomales. Ovary and testis connecting to the respective gonadal duct are given for comparison. Oocytes: P – previtellogenic, V – vitellogenic; OD - oviduct. SC – spermatocytes, ST – spermatids, SZ – spermatozoa; SD – sperm duct.